Pakistan, Aug. 16 -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, which technically continues because the 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice.

Speaking during a ceremony marking Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee urged both sides to abandon threats and begin discussions as directly involved parties.

He also suggested that dialogue could create practical measures to slow North Korea's expanding nuclear capabilities, although Pyongyang has repeatedly described its nuclear status as irreversible.

Lee's proposal comes amid rising tensions, with North Korea opposing upcoming annual US-South Korean military exercises and warning that it could strengthen its mil...